Apparatus for electrolytic reduction of ores.



No. 650,646. Patented May 29, |900. F. H. LONG.

APPARATUS FOR ELECTROLYATIC REDUCTION DFOBES.

(Application led June 22, 1898. Renewed Nov. 6, 1899.) (No Model.)

f1 Sheets-Sheet I.

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Patented llay 29, |900.

F. H. Lons. APPARATUS FOR ELECTBOLYTIC REDUCTION 0F DRES.

(Application led June 22, 189B. Renewed Nov. 6, 1899.)

4 Sheets-Shed 2 (No Model.)

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F. H. LONG. APPARATUS FOR ELECTBULYTIG RED-UGTIDN 0F DRES.

(Application med Jump?, 189s. mnswemmv. e, 1899.)

(No- Model.)

4 Sheets-.Sheet 3.

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Patented may 29, |960.

F. H. LONG. 'APPARATUS FUR ELETROLYTIG REDU'TIUNA 0F DRES.

(Application med :una 22, 166s. Renewed Nav. e, 1699,.)

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(No Model.)

UNrInD STATES `lPAtrsN'r Gratos.

` FREDERIC II. I.oNe, or cHIcAeo,` ILLINOIS, AssIeNoR To V'Ross J. nEATTY,

TRUSTEE, or MUNoIE, INDIANA.

APPARATUSy Foa ELECTROLYUC REDUCTION oF ORI-:8.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 650,646, dated May 29, 1900. 'Application filed June 22, 1898. Renewed November 6, 1899. Serial No. 736,059. (No model.)

To all whom I? may concer/t:

Be it known that I, FREDERIC I-I. LONG, a resident of Chicago, Cook county, Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for the Electrolytic Reduction of Ores, of which the following is hereby declared to be a full, clear, and exact description.

The invention relates to devices primarily employed in the electrolytic reduction of metallic ores an'd aims to improve the structure of such appliances, rendering them more efficient and economie, especially for the recovery of precious metals from the ores under treatment.

The nature of the improvements will appear in detail from the description following and be more distinctly pointed out by claims at the conclusion thereof.

On the drawings, Figure l is a general elevation view displaying at intermediate position the improved converter or reducer vessel with mixer above and filter below, conveniently used in connection therewith; Fig. 2, a

central longitudinal section view of the mixer;

Fig. 2, a detail longitudinal section view of the pump-plunger and its rod; Figs. 2b andI 2C, details of the valve in the pump-plunger; Fig. 2d, atop view of the plunger and its valvecage; Fig. 8, a View of the electrolytio reducer in central vertical section; Fig. 3, a detached view, in like section, of the pen-stock, the pump-plunger, its valve and reciprocatingv rod; Fig. 3b, a detail view, in longitudinal section, exhibiting one of the electric anodes; Fig. 4;, a top plan view of the electrolytic reducer; Fig. 4, an under View of reducer-bottom; Fig. 4b, a detail section View of one of the cathode pole-pieces and its immediate connections; Fig. 40, a cross section view at line 4@ of Fig. 3; Fig. it, a detail section view of pan located at the bottom of the reducer beneath the diaphragm.

As shown by Fig. l, the mixer A, located at the upper door or stage, receives by pipe a the supply of pulverized or ground ore and by pipe b a quantity of water with common salt (NaCl) in solution, the volume being sufficient to render the admixture or pulp of the consistency of thick cream.- Anaddition of quicklime is generally supplied to insure def element.

sired alkalinity of the pulp during electrolytic reduction, as may be requisite. Having been thoroughly admixed, the pulp passes by pipe c into the reducer B, located, as shown, on the floor beneath. Valve d controls the exit of pulp from the mixer and can be shut by the workman when sight-glass e on the reducer denotes that the desired level of inflow has been attained. An extra turn-od cock d is used in pipe c as a safeguard to supplement the action of main valve d in event the latter should become leaky. By electrolysis decomposition of the ore is'effected in reducer B. If refractory ores containing gold or silver are under treatment, the electrolytic action disrupts the sulfids and the sodio chlorid, releasing sulphydric gas in copious volume and rendering the chlorin nascent, which unites thereupon with the gold and silver to form chlorids. Calcio chlorid also forms, and this acts as a solvent for argentic chlorid and insures its passage, together with the auric chlorid, through the diaphragm in solvent condition proper for deposit at the cathode down as hydrates by the excess of lime present and remain in the gangue, releasing in turn a supplement-al quantity of calcio chlorid to promote solution of the argentic salt. After the treatment has been suiiciently prolonged it is desirable to empty the reducer for a fresh charge, and at the same time it is often economic to preserve the solution remaining on separation of the associated gangue for recovery of the minor quantities of gold or silver salts still present in the liquid. To such end the reducer B can be opened at its bottom and the lean solution, together with the refuse gangue, be run od on shifting valve c and be delivered by pipe f into filter C, located on the floor or gallery beneath. Turnoff cock f in pipe f supplements main valve e' and holds the charge in reducer B against temporary leaks. In filter C the separation is rapidly effected, generally by aid of cold-Water dilution under high pressure, the clarified solution being drawn off at pipe g, as may be requisite, while the refuse finds exit past valve 7L through outlet-tube c' into any convenient dump or place of deposit.

When ores of copper, zinc, nickel, or other The base-metal chlorids are thrown IOC) base metals free from gold or silver are to be dealt with, the addition of lime to the electrolyte may be unnecessary and, indeed, may prove objectionable, from which it will appear that the use ofthe apparatus is independent of any special ore and of the peculiar mode of treatment applicable thereto. The electrolytic processof extracting ores of gold and silver hereinbefore outlined is already well known and is selected merely by way of example to better display the general character of the apparatus now to be described in detail. j

Mixer A has-abody10, -with head- 11A and hopper -like bottom 12, all of sheet metal securely fastened together. food lining 13 protects the body and bottom from corrosion. An upright wooden penstock 14, with strengthening-hoops at intervals thereon,

- andgland 23 at cap 16 and by its lower end sustains the pump-'plunger 24. As seen at Fig.' A2, the reciprocating pump-rod consists of a wooden sheath 22, incasing a central metal Stem 25, fastened above by nut 26 to 'cross-head 19 and by .gutta-percha nut 27 beneath to plunger 24, made of like material. Rubber gaskets 28 encircle stem 25 atthe several joints to exclude liquid. Threaded Within plunger 24 is the gutta-percha cage29, upon which seats the gutta-percha valve 30. A gutta-percha liner 31,` fastened to penstock 14, affords snug bearing for the packing of plunger 24. The liner extends below into plug 15 and aids in centering and steadying the pen-stock beneath. Hard-rubber valve d. seats against wooden liner 35, which, in conjunction with companion gutta-percha liner 36, acts to protect the met-al exit 37, bolted to bottom 12.

Many details of the mixer just described are also to be found in the reducer. Since like parts bear like designation throughout, it will be unnecessary to repeat the description of various'features thus shown in common at more than one form of the apparatus. Owing .to high temperature and to the corrosive character of the gases andliquids generally present, the reducer B in addition has its top 11 shielded by wooden lining 13". A

like lining 16 protects the central cap 16,

while the'supply-inlet is covered internally by vulcanite sleeve 38, stiened by metalv is removably secured in place with bolts 41 vals about its outer rim.

and is shieldedv by woodenllining 13, upon which sets the shallow copper pan 42. Said pan may contain mercury for picking up the gold. ItA constitutes the cathode element of the reducer and sustains metallic connection with the set of copper rods`43, arranged beneath the vessel in circular series and united to a copper ring 44, having the wire terminals 45 held thereon Figs. 3 and 4. The connection between pan 42 and the several headed rods 43 is shown in detail in Fig. 4b and is seen to be established by aid of vulcanite insulation-sleeve 46l and rubber gasket 47. Nut

48 forces the parts toa snug seat. Washers 49 and nut 50 at the pendent terminal of each rod 43 insure metallic circuit with ring 44.

Supported internally by lining 13" of thetained between peripheral ring 54 and penstock 14. Said partition may slope downward in cone-like fashion and be notched at inter- Anticlinal blocks 55 at the rim direct the mixed charge past the open partition from the main into the minor chamber. As herey shown,funder influence of the internal' pump, the batch is compelled to 'iiow along between the anodes and diaphragm, being powerfully exposed in passage to the disruptive force of the electric currents. All portions ot` the batch areV thus successively exposed to thedisruptiv'e influ-` ence of the electric current on passing the anode-poles 56 and if free chlorin be present are poured through such gas on emerging at Vents 34 from the penstock. Decomposition and solution proceed with marked rapidity. v Y

The anodes are arranged in circular series and consist of hardcarbon pole-heads 56, each sustained by a long copper rod-57, which-extends upward through the reducer and "terminates outside at the copper ring 58, being .secured thereto by nuts and vulcanite washer 61. The ring 58 is common lto allot' the rods and by line-wires 59, Figs. 3 and 4, connects with the source of the electricity. The several rods 57 are incased in long iron tubes 59, which at the bosses on reducerhead plate l1 are each insulated through the medium of vnlcanite sleeves 62, rubber washers 63, and nut 64, Fig. 3b. An internal Wooden ring just beneath the reducer-head 11 helps to position the several tubes.

long vnlcante sheath 66 insulates and pro- IOO IIO

tects tube 59, incasing` rod 57. At the lower terminal of sheath 66 and passing through partition 53 is the bell-like hard-rubber tip 57. Porcelain plug 68 is interposed between tip 57a and carbon head 56, while rubber gaskets 69 close the external joints. A nut- 70, with rubber gasket 7l, engages the lower end of copper rod 57 and permits the system of parts to be drawn tightly together. Soft-rubber stopper 117, secured in place by suitable cement, closes the socket in pole-head 56 and shields nut 70 from contact with corrosive agents. Insulation and protection of the internal conductor-rod 57 being assured, the current nds exit at anode-head 56 and passes thence through the electrolyte to the cathodepan. The packing-gaskets 63 69 7l permit suiicient expansion for the metal rods under heat of reduction without break of the insulation. On changing the size of tip 57LL and adjusting rod 57 and tube 59 as may be requisite the pole-heads 56 are brought nearer to or farther from the cathode. ance encountered by the current may thusbe varied in keeping with the nature of the eleotrolyte under treatment. Provision is made for the automatic discharge of excess gases or vapors evolved during the decomposition of the charge. Outlet-pipe 72 carries gage 7 3, shut-ofic 74, and relief-valve 75, which latter can be adjusted to open at any desired pressure. The treatment of the batch may thus proceed at definite tension, kept practically uniform under control of relief-valve 75. The escaping gases, including excess of chlorin, may be delivered into the mixer instead of discharging directly into the open air, and thereby be utilized to effect the preliminary solution of some of the metals in advance of the arrival of the batch vat the reducer. Thus if the gas-pressure in reducer B sufices to overcome the hydrostatic head of the charge in mixer A by slightly opening valve d in thepipe c, which connects the two vessels, it becomes feasible to deliver a port-ion of the excess gas from the reducer into the mixer, there to promote the ready solution of the metals. When the operation has been sufficiently extended, the current is cut out, discharge-valve c opened at the bottom of the reducer, and the lean electrolyte, with its refuse gangue, permitted to run into the filter C, which may be of any desired construction suited for cleansing and separating the traces of metallic solution to be saved. After a number of reductions the metallic deposits accumulating on the cathode or as a mercury amalgam may be cleaned up by removal of bolts 4l. The cup-shaped bottom 12 thereupon drops away, exposing the cathode-pan, after lifting off the diaphragm 5l 52. Petcock 7 6 permits any traces of rich solution to be drawn off in advance of the removal of bottom 12% l 4 Other means than the internal penstock and reciprocating pump are already known in the art for analogous purpose and can be The resistused in lieu thereof to effect desired circulation of the charge past the partition and between the anodes and diaphragm of the electrolytic reducer. All such details which the skill of the mechanic may change are obviou sly within the scope of theinvention. The filter vessel depicted iu measure by the drawings forms no part of the present improvements, but is made the subject of a separate application filed November 6, 1899.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In electrolytic apparatus, the combination with the reducer vessel, of the open partition extended across said vessel, the anode projected past the partition, the terminal cathode, the interposed diaphragm and suitable means for circulating the ore charge between the anode an d diaphragm,substantially as described.

2. In electrolytic apparatus, the combination with the reducer vessel having open central penstock and a series of anodes dependent about the same, of the bottom cathode, the diaphragm interposed between it and the anodes, and suitable means coacting with the penstock to circulate the charge past said anodes and above the diaphragm, substantially as described.

3. In electrolytic apparatus, the combination with the reducer vessel, of the open sloping partition extended across said vessel, the series of dependent anodes projected through said partition, the terminal cathode, the diaphragm interposed between it and the anodes, and suitable means for circulating the ore charge between the anodes and diaphragm, substantially as described. j

4. In electrolytic apparatus, the combination with the reducer Vessel having an open central penstock and an inclined partition extended therefrom with openings near the vessel-wall, of the series of dependent anodes projected through said partition, the bottom cathode, the diaphragm interposed between it and the anodes and suitable means coacting with the penstock to circulate the ore charge past the anodes and above the diaphragm, substantially as described.

5. In electrolytic apparatus, the combination with the closed reducer vessel having a diaphragm near its bottom and a cathode beneath the same, of the upright penstock communicating above and below with said vessel, the valved pump-plunger reciprocating therein, and a set of anodes arranged about said penstock whereby the charge is exposed to electrolytic action in flowing from the vessel into the penstock, substantially as described.

6. In electrolytic apparatus, the combination with the reducer vessel, of the series of dependent anodes, and the removable bottom having the cathode and the diaphragm above it sustained by said bottom, substantiallyas described. Y

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7. In electrolytic apparatus, the oombina- 9. vIn eleotrolytic apparatus, the combination with the reducer Vessel, its bottom cathode and the diaphragm above said cathode, of the set of dependent anodes each consisting of a carbon head, a copper stem extended therefrom through the vessel, an ineasing iron tube carried by the Vessel-head to sustain the anode-pole, a vulcanite sheath for said tube, and suitable elastic gaskets to expausively close the joints, substantially as described.

FREDERIC H. LONG.

Witnesses:

GEO. P. FISHER, Jr., ALBERTA ADAMloK. 

